Totalizing counter system



Aug. 1966 H. GREENWALD 3,269,504

TOTALYZING comma SYSTEM Filed Feb. 1. 1965 2 Sheets$heet 1 FIG. I.

INVENTOR 71 A HARRY GREENWALD BY -25 M Lg, 7 ATTORNEY.

'termined angle. 'gear will be proportional to the value of the coinwhich United States Patent 3,269,504 TOTALIZING COUNTER SYSTEM HarryGreenwald, Whitestone, N.Y., assignor of onethird each to Louis Wolffand Harry Silberglait, both of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Filed Feb. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 429,242 11 Claims. (Cl. 194-.1)

The present invention relates to improvements in totalizing countersystems.

The present invention is particularly suitable for controlling theoperation of an associated coin-operated vending machine by totalizingthe amount of money deposited in the machine and actuating the, machinewhen a preselected amount of moneyis so deposited.

A conventional totalizer counter system, as used to totalize credit in acoin-operated vending machine, usually comprises a main gear or creditwheel which is caused to rotate in a first direction upon insertion ofthe coins. When a preselected total amount of money is reached thesystem operates the vending machine to dispense the desired article andthe credit in the machine is wiped out by causing the credit wheel torotate in the opposite direction back to a normal position. Obviously, asystem of this type does not lend itself to smooth motion and the impacton parts due to the two-way rotation of the gear wheel measurablyshortens their lifetime. Additionally, other types of creditaccumulating systems require complicated escapement mechanisms to add orwipe out credit in the totalizing system. Additionally, both of theabove-mentioned systems suffer from the inherent drawbacks that they areuneconomical to manufacture and difficult to service.

It is an object of the present invention to improve totalizer countersystems so the wear on the parts is a minimum thereby providing longlife operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a totalizercounter system which is economical to manufacture, simple in operationand easy to service.

Accordingly, the present invention comprises a frame having a totalizinggear rotatably mounted thereon :and a plurality of pinions similarlyrotatably mounted on the frame and in meshing engagement with thetotalizing gear. In the preferred embodiment each pinion has the samenumber of teeth. Each pinion has a respective driving mechanismoperatively associated therewith which includes a motor which as adaptedto rotate the associated pinion through a one-way clutch. An energizingcircuit is connected tothe driving motors and includes a plurality ofcontrolling means each associated with a respective coin of a differentdenomination for controlling the energization of a respective differentone of the driving motors in accordance with the coin deposited. Thus, adifferent motor will be operated for each different denomination coininserted in the vending machine to rotate the totalizing gear throughthe associated pinion. Each controlling means is provided with stopmeans to deenergize the associated motor after .the respective pinionhas been rotated through a respectively different prede- This angle ofrotation of the totalizer controls operation of the particular motor.For example, if a fifty-cent coinv is the largest coin that can bedeposited and a dime is deposited in the machine, the controlling meansassociated with the dime coin will cause energization of a motor torotate .the dime pinion. After onefifth of a revolution of the pinionthe stop means will cause the motor to be de-energized. However, if aonecent coin is deposited, the controlling means associated with thecent will cause energization of the motor associated with the one-centpinion to rotate said pinion. But the stop means associated with thispinion will cause 3,269,504 Patented August so, 1966.

deenergization of the motor after the pinion has rotated one-fiftieth ofa revolution. Thus, the total rotation of the totalizing gear willalways be proportional to the amount of money deposited. Moreover, thecounting is accomplished in one-cent increments.

A switch adapted to control the associated vending machine is mounted onthe frame and a movable link or lever is positioned on the totalizinggear to actuate the switch after thegear has rotated through apredetermined angle corresponding to a preselected amount of moneydeposited. Means are provided to rotate the totalizer gear, in the samedirection, to the same initial position after the vending machine hasbeen operated to recycle the system and maintain the same angle betweenthe link and the vending switch at the start of each cycle.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a totalizing countersystem wherein the totalizing gear is always rotated in the samedirection to provide smooth, uniform motion and minimum wear on theelements comprising the system.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a totalizingcounter system wherein the counting may be accomplished in one-centincrements to thereby permit multiple accumulation of any coinagedeposited.

The above and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more apparent from a consideration ofthe following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment ofthe totalizercounter system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the present invention taken along lines 22in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the twenty-five cent driving unit shown inFIG. 1 taken along lines 33 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a partially diagrammatic wiring diagram of the electricalelements of the present invention.

Like numbers in the various figures indicate identical elements.

The present invention, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a base plateor frame 10. An axle 12, approximately centrally located on frame 10,projects perpendicularly upwardly and is received in a loose fit in anaxial bore 13 in a totalizing gear 11 to rotatably supportgear 11 onframe 10. The lower face of gear 11 rests on a washer 14 which isaflixed to axle 12 adjacent its upper end and a nut 15 is threaded onthe up er end of axle 12 and overlies gear 11 to limit the upwardmovement of gear 11.

Gear 11 is provided with teeth 16 about its periphery which are inmeshing engagement with the respective pinions 20, 21, 22 and 23. Thepinions are circumferentially spaced from one another with the axis ofeach pinion lying on a circle whose axis is coaxial with the axis ofgear 11'. Each pinion has a respective driving mechanism 24 operativelyassociated therewith; however, since each driving mechanism issubstantially similar only one will he described in detail, it beingunderstood that the other driving mechanisms embody the same structuralarrangements except for the differences noted.

Driving mechanism 24 associated with pinion 22 is shown in detail inFIG. 3 and comprises a motor 25 which may 'be connected to the undersideof frame 10 in ated.

26 in a tight fit. Hence, shaft 27 is rotatable with shaft 26. Pinion 22is provided with a central bore 30 which rotatably receives shaft 27therethrough with pinion 22 resting on the upper face of flange 29.Pinion 22 is further provided with an upwardly projecting central hub 31for the purpose noted below. A drive counter wheel 32 receives shaft 27through a central bore 33 and is provided with an upwardly projectingcentral hub 34A and a downwardly projecting central hub 34B the bottomedge of which overlies the upper edge of hub 31. A pin 35 extendsthrough suitable aligned apertures in hub 34A and shaft 27 to fixedlyconnect wheel 32 and shaft 27 together so wheel 32 rotates with shaft27.

A spring 36 surrounds hubs 34B and 31 and is connected to hub 34B at 37.Spring 36 serves as a one-way clutch to transmit driving motion topinion 22. Thus, when motor 25 is energized shaft 27 rotates therebycausing wheel 32 to rotate and tighten spring 36 against hubs 34B and 31thereby transmitting the rotational movement to pinion 22 to rotate gear11. However, when pinion 22 is rotated as, for example, when one of theother pinions drives gear 11, the spring will remain loosely wrappedaround hubs 34B and 31 because there is no direct connection betweenpinion 22 and spring 36 and no movement will be transmitted to wheel 32.

A coin limit switch 40 is located adjacent driving mechanism 24 and issupported on frame by a depending foot 41 which is connected to frame 10in any conventional manner (not show). The coin limit switch controlsthe duration of energization of the associated motor in the manner notedbelow. A lever 42 extends outwardly from switch 40 and overlies wheel32. As illustrated in FIG. 3, wheel 32 is provided with twodiametrically opposed upstanding pins 43 adjacent the periphery of thewheel which are positioned to engage lever 42 during rotation of wheel32. Lever 42 is connected to an armature 40A of switch 40; armature 40Ais biased by means (not shown) to be in contact with a contact 4013.However, when pin 43 engages and moves lever 42, armature 40A is movedto a contact 40C, for the reasons noted below.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention each of the pinions-23 may have the same number of teeth, such as 50 teeth, whiletotalizing gear 11 may have 100 teeth. It is emphasized that the numberof teeth specified in the preceding sentence is by way of example onlyand not by way of limitation. Moreover, each pinion is adapted to rotategear 11 through a different angle; the angle of rotation beingproportional to the value of the coin deposited in the associatedvending machine. Thus, mechanism 24 associated with pinion 22 is adaptedto be actuated when a quarter is deposited and will therefore rotateone-half of a revolution before pin 43 engages lever 42 to deenergizemotor 25. This will cause an advancement of teeth of gear 11. However,wheel 32A associated with pinion 23 (FIG. I), which is adapted torotate, when a dime is deposited, may be provided with 5circumferentially equally spaced pins 43A which are adapted toengagelever 42A of the associated coin limit switch 45 so pinion 23 willonly make /5 of a revolution each time its associated motor 25A isoperated. In this case gear 11 will be advanced 10 teeth in response tothe deposit of a dime. Similarly, wheel 3213, which is associated withpinion 21, which is adapted to rotate when a nickel is inserted in themachine, may be provided with 10 circumferentially equally spaced pins43B which are adapted to engage liner 42B of the associated switch 46 sopinion 21 will only make of a revolution each time its associated motor25B is oper- In this case gear 11 will be advanced 5 teeth if a nickelis deposited. It is believed the operation of wheel 32C, which may beprovided with 50 teeth 43C about its periphery engageable with lever 42Cof associated coin limit switch 47, in response to the deposit of apenny will now be obvious. Hence, the angle that gear 11 rotates throughdue to actuation of any particular pinion will be directly proportionalto the value of the coin deposited. Moreover, the rotation of gear 11with respect to the counting of the coin values deposited will be in onecent increments thereby permitting multiple accumulation of any coinagedeposited.

A switch 51 (FIG. 1) is mounted on frame 10 in any conventional manner(not shown) between pinions 22 and 23. Switch 51 has a plurality ofarmatures therein which are connected to and control the operation of anassociated conventional vending machine (not shown). Switch 51 includesa lever 51A pivotally mounted at one end and having a projection at thefree end. Lever 51A is biased so that free end of the lever will movetoward gear 11. A link 49 on gear 11 is positioned to abut theprojection on lever 51A during rotation of gear 11 thereby pivoting thelever and moving the free end of the lever toward switch 51 to move thearmature and close switch 51 to operate the associated vending machineand, as noted below, the totalizer gear return mechanisms. Link 49(FIGS. 1 and 2), which is removably mounted on gear 11, comprises anupwardly extending arm and an outwardly extending arm which extends pastthe periphery of gear 11. Link 49 is further provided with a rearwardlyextending flange which receives the screws 48 in suitable apertures;screws 48 extend through an arcuate slot 18 in gear 11 and throughapertures in a clamping member and have wing nuts 52 threaded on theends thereof. The position of link 49 on gear 11 may be adjusted withinthe confines of slot 18 and nuts 52 may thereafter be tightened to abutthe under surface of member 50 to clamp link 49 in place. The particularposition of link 49 will determine the amount of money which must bedeposited to operate the vending machine since the angle gear 11 mustrotate through to bring link 49 into engagement with lever 51A and isproportional to the amount of money deposited.

A return switch 53 is mounted on frame 10 in any conventional manner(not shown) and forms a portion of the mechanism which returns gear 11to a zero position after each operation of the vending machine. That is,means is included to return gear 11 to the same position after eachoperation of the associated vending machine, so the same angle betweenlink 49 and lever 51A of switch 51 at the start of each cycle isobtained, otherwise a different amount of money will be required tooperate the vending machine on successive cycles of operation. Switch 53is similar to switch 51 and includes a pivotally mounted lever 53A,having a projection at the end thereof, the free end of which is biasedtoward gear 11. A link 54, having an upwardly projecting arm and anoutwardly projecting arm which projects past the periphery of gear 11and is adapted to engage the projection on lever 53A during rotation ofgear 11 to operate the switch, is fixedly mounted on gear 11. Thus, link54 is provided with an integral rear- Wardly extending flange throughwhich the screws 55 extend. Respective nuts 56 are threaded on the endsof screws 55, which pass through suitable apertures in gear 11 to affixlink 54 in place. It should be noted that the outwardly extending arm oflink 54 is higher than the outwardly extending arm of link 49.Correspondingly, switch 53 is higher than switch 51, with respect toframe 10, so link 54 will not operate switch 51 nor will link 49 operateswitch 53.

The wiring diagram of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. The coinreceiving portion of the system (i.e., that portion which channels theparticular denomination coin deposited to the associated coin switch)will not be shown in detail herein since the structural arrangements ofthese devices are well known in the art. One terminal of an energizingsource 101 is connected to the armature 47A of switch 47 by a lead 102.The other end of the source is connected to ground. A lead 103 isadapted to connect lead 102 to ground through a normally openpush-button 104 and the winding of a relay 105. Armature 47A is normallyconnected to contact 47B of switch 47; contact 47B is connected toarmature 105A of relay 105 by a lead 106 and contact 47C is connected toarmature 105B of relay 105 by a lead 107. Contact 105A, associated witharmature 105A is connected to 103, between *104 and 105, by a lead 108.Norm-ally, armature 105A is connected to contact 105A which isunconnected. Armature 1053 is movable between contacts .105B, and 105Bcontact 10513 is unconnected and contact 105B is connected to oneterminal of the one-cent drive motor 25C by a lead 109. The otherterminal of motor 25' is connected to ground by a lead 115. A lead 110connects lead 106 to the armature 111A of a one-cent coin switch .111.Coin-switch 111 is conventional and operates to momentarily movearmature 111A to contact 111B when a onecent coin is deposited. Thecontact 11113. of switch 111 is connected to lead 103, betweenpush-button 104 and the winding of relay 105, by a lead 112. Contact111C of switch 111 is connected to armature 105C of relay 105 by a lead113. Armature 105C is movable between contacts 1050 and 105C contact105C; is connected to motor 250 by lead109 and contact 1050 is connectedto the armature 46A of coin limit switch 46 by a lead 114. Armatures105A, 105B and 105C are controlled by relay winding 105 and such controlis indiacted by broken line 116. Thus, when the winding of relay 105 isenergized armatures 105A, 105B and 105C will respectively move tocontacts 105A 105B and 105C The motorC associated with a particulardriving mechanism is controlled by the deposit of a onecent coin and themotor also controls the operation of the associated coin limit switch47. This is indicated by the broken line 117 which connects one-centdrive motor 25C and switch 47,

A lead 123 is adapted to connect lead 114 to ground I through a normallyopen push-button 124, the winding of a relay 125 and lead 115. Armature46A is normally connected to contact 46B of switch 46; contact 46B isconnected to armature 125A of relay 125 by a lead 126 and contact 46C isconnected to armature 125B of relay 125 by a lead 127. Contact 125A,associated with armature 125A, is connected to lead 123, between button124 and the winding of relay 125, by a lead 128. Normally, armature 125Ais connected to contact 125A which is unconnected. Armature 125B ismovable between contacts 125B; and 125 contact 125B is unconnected andcontact .125B is connected to one terminal of the five-cent drive motor253 by a lead 129. The other terminal of five-cent drive motor 25B isconnected to ground through lead 115. A lead 130 connects lead 126 tothe armature 131A of a five-cent coin switch 111. Coin switch 131 is ofa conventional type and operates to momentarily move armature 131A tocontact 131B when a nickel is deposited. Contact 131B a lead 134.Armatures 125A, 125B .and 125C are controlled -by relay 125 as indicatedby broken line 136. The control of the operation of switch 46 byfive-cent drive motor 25B is indicated by broken line 137.

A lead 143 is adapted to connect lead 134 to ground through a normallyopen push-button 144, the winding of a relay 145 and lead 115. ArmatureA is normally connected to contact 45B-of switch 45; contact 45B is 1connected to armature 145A of relay 145 by a lead 146 and contact 45C isconnected to armature 145B of relay 145 by a lead 147. Contact 145A,associated with armature A is connected to lead 143, between button 144lead 115. A lead 150 connects lead 146 to the armature 151A of aten-cent coin switch 151. Coin switch 151 is of a conventional type andoperates to momentarily move armature 151A to contact 151B when a dimeis deposited. Contact 151B is connected to lead 143, between pushbutton144 and the winding of relay 145, by a lead 152. Contact 151C of switch151 is connected to armature 145C of relay 145 by a lead 153. Armature145C is movable between contacts 145C and 145C contact 145C is connectedto motor 25 by lead 149 and contact 145C is connected to the armature40A of twenty-five cent coin limit switch 40 by a lead 154. Armatures145A, 145B and 145C are controlled by relay 145 as indicated by thebroken line 156. The control of the operation of switch 45 by ten-centdrive motor 25A is indicated by broken line 157. p

A lead 163 is adapted to connectlead 134 to ground through a normallyopen push-button 164, the winding of a relay and lead 115. Armature 40Ais normally connected to contact 40B of switch 40; contact 40B isconnected to armature 165A of relay 165 by a 1ead 166 and contact 40C isconnected to armature 165B of relay 165 by a lead 167. Contact 145A,associated with armature 165A is connected to lead 143, between button164 l armature 171A of a twenty-five cent coin switch 171.

Coin switch 171 is of a conventional type and operates to momentarilymove armature 171A to contact 171B when a quarter is deposited. Contact171B is connected to lead 163, betweenpush-button 164 and the winding ofrelay 165, by a lead 172. Contact 171C of switch 171 is connected toarmature 165C of relay 165 by a lead 173.

Armature 165C is movable between contacts 165C and 165C contact 165C isconnected to motor 25 by lead 169 and contact 165C is connected to lead115 through rejector solenoid 57 and the normally closed switchcomprising armature 58A and contact 58A of a relay 58 by a lead 174. Therejector solenoid is conventional and operates to prevent insertion offurther coins when it is deenergized. Armatures 165A, 165B and 165C arecontrolled by relay 165 as indicated by the broken line 176. The controlof the operation of switch 40 by twenty-five cent drive motor 25 isindicated by brokenline 177.

A lead 59 connects lead 154 to armature 51B of switch 51. Armature 51Bis normally out of contact with associated contact 51B Switch 53 isserially connected between lead 154'and armature 51b. It is to beunderstood that lever 53A controls the opening and closing of switch 53.Similarly, lever 51A controls the movement of armature 51B as well asthe movement of other armatures (not shown) which, in turn, control theoperation of the associated vending machine, as noted above. The windingof a relay 58 is connected between contact 51B and ground. A lead 60connects lead 59 to an armature 58B of relay 58. A contact 58B isconnected to lead 169 by a lead 61. Lead 59 is also connected toarmature 58C of relay 58; and contact 58C is connected to the winding ofrelay 58. Relay 58 controls the operation of armatures 58A, 58B and 58Cas indicated by broken line 71 and causes armature 58B and 58C to moveto respective contacts 5813 and 58C and armature 58A to break contactwith contact 58A, when energized. When the gear 11 is in the zero ornormal position the circuit elements Will be biased to assume thepositions shown in FIG. 4.

In operation, gear 11 will be in the zero position and link 54 will bein contact with the projection on lever 53A to cause switch 53 to beopen. Switch 51 will be open since link 49 will not be in contact withlever 51A. Link 49 may be initially positioned within the confines ofslot 18 so the angle that gear 11 must rotate through before link 49engages the projection on lever 51A will be proportional to the desiredamount of money to be deposited. Initially solenoid 57 will be energizedby source 101 through the circuit comprising the respective coin limitand coin switches, lead 173, armature 165C, contact 165C lead 174,armature 58A, contact 58A and lead 115 which completes the circuit tosource 101 through ground.

Assuming that link 49 is positioned so twenty-five cents must bedeposited to operate the associated vending machine and assuming furtherthat a quarter is deposited, the following operations will take place.Coin switch 171 operates and armature 171A momentarily breaks contactwith contact 1710 and makes contact with contact 171B thereby breakingthe circuit connection to solenoid 57 and deenergizing the rejectorsolenoid to prevent further coins from being deposited until the gear 11has been rotated an amount proportional to the deposited coin. (Itshould be noted that had another coin been inserted, instead of thequarter, the coin switch responsive to that particular coin would havebeen operated and the solenoid 57 would similarly have been deenergizedsince source 101 is connected across solenoid 57 through the seriallyconnected respective coin and coin limit switches.) Relay 165 will beenergized by source 101 through the series circuit comprising lead 102,switch 47, leads 106, 110, switch 111, lead 113, armature 105C, lead114, switch 46, leads 126, 130, switch 131, lead 133, armature 125C,lead 134, switch 45, leads 146, 150, switch 151, armature 145C, lead154, switch 40, leads 166, 170, switch 171, leads 172, 163 and 115. Theenergization of relay 165 causes armatures 165A, 165B and 165C torespectively make contact with contacts 165A 165B and 165C While themovement of armature 171A to contact 171B is momentary and the armaturemoves back to contact 171C practically immediately, a holding circuit isestablished about relay 165 to maintain the relay energized. Thus, lead154 is connected to source 101 through the circuit noted above and isalso connected to the winding of relay 165 through switch 40, lead 166,armature 165A, and leads 166 and 168. The other terminal of the windingof relay 165 is connected to the source through lead 115 and ground tocomplete the circuit. Twentyfive cent drive motor 25 is energized whenarmature 171A again contacts contact 171C through the circuit comprisinglead 154 (connected to source 101 through the circuit noted above),switch 40, leads 166, 170, switch 171, lead 173, armature 165C, lead 169and lead 115.

7 As shown in FIG. 3, twenty-five cent drive motor 25 rotates wheel 32by means of the connection through shaft 27 to thereby rotate pinion 22through spring 36 which serves as the one-way clutch. Pinion 22 rotatesuntil pin 43 on wheel 32 engages lever 42 of switch 40 and pivots thelever to move armature 40A from contact 40B to contact 40C therebybreaking the relay holding circuit which formerly existed through switch40 to cause the winding of relay 165 to be deenergized. Thus, armatures165A, 165B and 1650 will respectively return to contacts 165A 165B and165C However, motor 25 will still remain energized through the circuitincluding lead 154 (which is connected to source 101 through theelements noted above), armature 40A, contact 40C, lead 167, armature165B, contact 165B and leads 169 and 115. The motor 25 will remainenergized until armature 40A moves back to contact 40B; that is, untilpin 43 moves out of contact with lever 42. Since two pins 43 only areprovided on wheel 32 and the gear ratio between gear 11 and pinion 22 is2:1; pinion 22 will have rotated one-half of a revolution therebyrotating gear 11 onequarter of a revolution or through an angle which isproportional to the amount of money deposited.

As noted above, the quarter revolution of gear 11 will cause link 49 toabut the projection on lever 51A and pivot the lever to close theswitches 51 to thereby operate the associated vending machine.Additionally, the movement of lever 51A causes armature 513 to contactcontact 51B energizing the winding of relay 58 through the circuitcomprising lead 154 (connected to source 101, as noted above) lead 59,closed switches 53 and armature 51B to ground. This causes relayarmatures 58B and 58C to respectively make contact with contacts 58B and58C and causes armature 58A to break contact with contact 58A to therebydeenergize the solenoid 57. A holding circuit will be established aboutthe winding of relay 58 through armature 58C and motor 25 will beenergized through the circuit comprising the current carrying lead 59,lead 60, armature 58B and contact 5813 lead 169 and lead 115. Motor 25will again rotate gear 11 in the same direction through the mechanicalconnection noted above. It should be noted that the motor will not bedeenergized albeit link 49 is rotated past lever 51A thereby allowingarmature 513 to open, because of the holding circuit which maintains thewinding of relay 58 energized. The winding of relay 58 will remainenergized until gear 11 has rotated to a position whereby link 54 abutsthe projection on lever 53A thereby pivoting the lever and openingswitch 53 which is in series with relay winding 58. Hence, the windingof relay 58 will be deenergized and armatures 58B and 58C willrespectively break contact with contacts 58B and 58C to respectivelydeenergize motor 25 and break the holding circuit and armature 58A willmake contact with contact 58A to again complete the circuit betweensource 101 and solenoid 5'7. Thus, it is seen that the totalizing gear11 has been automatically rotated back to its initial or zero positionupon operation of the vending machine switch and is again ready toreceive and totalize the deposited coins. If a coin such as a dime hadbeen deposited coin switch 151 would have been operated and thetotalizer gear 11 would have been rotated through an angle proportionalto the ten-cent coin. Thus, another 15 cents would be required to bedeposited before link 49 would operate switch 51.

Each coin responsive circuit may be individually tested by operating thepush-button associated with the respective coin switch. Thus, if pushbutton 164 is operated, the winding of relay 165 will be energizedthrough the circuit comprising lead 154 (which is connected to source101 in the manner noted above), lead 163, push-button 164 and lead toground. The operation noted above will then be repeated.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosedit will become obvious to those skilled in the art that modificationsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Thus, the system may also be adapted to totalize and countfifty-cent coins. Additionally, the present system may also be adaptedto totalize and count paper currency by use of a suitably responsiveswitch in place of a coin switch and appropriate change of the coindrive wheel.

What is claimed is:

1. In a totalizing counter system for use with as associated vendingmachine, the combination including a frame; a totalizing gear rotatablymounted on said frame, said totalizing gear normally being in a firstposition; a plurality of pinions rotatably mounted on said frame and inmeshing engagement with said totalizing gear; a plurality of drivingmeans equal in number to said plurality of pinions, each of saidplurality of driving means I operatively associated with a different oneof said plurali y of p nions for rotating the associated pinion;controlling means connected to said plurality of driving meansresponsive to the insertion of respective coins of differentdenominations for controlling the energizati-on of respective differentones of said plurality of driving means to rotate the associated pinionto thereby rotate said totalizing gear; switch means adapted to controlthe operation of an associated vending machine; and operating meansmovably mounted on said totalizing gear and positoned to operate saidswitch means when said totalizing gear has been rotated through apredetermined angle from said first position whereby said totalizingsystem will cause the operation of the associated vending machine uponthe deposit of a preselected amount of money.

2. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 1, and returnmeans responsive to the operation of said switch means for energizingone of said driving means for rota-ting said totalizing gear back tosaid first position.

3. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 1, wherein each ofsaid plurality of pinions has the same number of teeth, and thetotalizing gear has twice as many teeth as any one of said plurality ofpinions.

4. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 3, wherein each ofsaid plurality of driving means includes stop means operativelyassociated with said controlling means adapted to deenergize therespective driving means after the associated pinion has been rotatedthrough a different preselected angle.

5. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 1, and a one-wayclutch connected between each of said plurality of driving means and theassociated pinion for transmitting rotational movement to said pluralityof pinions from the associated driving means.

6. In a coin totalizing counter system, the combination including aframe; a totalizing gear rotatably mounted on said frame, saidtotalizing gear normally being in a first position; a plurality ofpinions rotatably mounted on said frame and in meshing engagement withsaid totalizin-g gear; a plurality of driving motors equal in number tosaid plurality of pinions; a plurality of connecting means in one-to-onecorrespondence with said driving motors for coupling a different one ofsaid motors to a respective pinion in a driving connection; a firstplurality of electro-mechanical means equal in number to said pluralityof motors each associated with a respective coin of a diiferentdenomination for controlling the energization of a respective differentone of said plurality of motors; switch means adapted to control theoperation of an associated device; and operating means movably mountedon said totalizing gear and positioned to operate said switch means whensaid totalizing gear has been rotated through a predetermined angle fromsaid first position.

7. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 6, and secondelectro-mechanical means connected to said switch means and responsiveto the operation of said switch means for energizing one of saidplurality of motors; disabling switch means connected to said secondelectro-mechanical means movable to a first contact for disabling saidsecond electro-mechanical means to deenergize said one of said pluralityof motors; and means operatively positioned on said totalizing gear formoving said disabling switch means to said first contact when saidtotalizing gear is in said first position.

8. In a totalizing counter system as defined in claim 6, and a pluralityof two-state devices, means connecting a different one of said two-statedevices to respective ones of said first plurality of electro-mechanicalmeans, said two-state devices being operable, when moved from a firststate to a second state, to disable the associated respective one ofsaid first plurality of electro-mechanical means; and means associatedwith particular ones of said plurality of connecting means cooperablewith respective ones of said plurality of two-state devices for movingthe associated two-state device to the second state to disable therespective one of said plurality of first electro-mechanical meansassociated with the particular one of said plurality of connectingmeans.

9. In a coin totalizing counter system as defined in claim 6, whereinsaid connecting means comprises in part a oneway clutch.

10. A totalizing counter system comprising, in combination, a frame, atotalizing gear rotatably mounted on said frame, said totalizing gearnormally being in a first position; a plurality of pinions rotatablymounted on said frame and in meshing engagement with said totalizinggear; a plurality of driving means equal in number to said plurality ofpinions, each of said plurality of driving means being operativelyassociated with a difiierent one of said plurality of pinions forrotating the associated pinion; operating means responsive to theoperation of a respective difierent switch for controlling the actuationof respective different ones of said plurality of driving means torot-ate the associated pinion; and switch means responsive to therotation of said totalizer gear through a predetermined angle from saidfirst position for controlling the operation of an associated device.

11. A totalizing counter system as defined in claim 10, and return meansresponsive to the operation of said switch means for energizing one ofsaid driving means for rotating said totalizing .gear back to said firstposition.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1964 Keefe l94l8/1965 Bass l94l

1. IN A TOTALIZING COUNTER SYSTEM FOR USE WITH AS ASSOCIATED VENDINGMACHINE, THE COMBINATION INCLUDING A FRAME; A TOTALIZING GEAR ROTATABLYMOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, SAID TOTALIZING GEAR NORMALLY BEING IN A FIRSTPOSITION; A PLURALITY OF PINIONS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND INMESHING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID TOTALIZING GEAR; A PLURALITY OF DRIVINGMEANS EQUAL IN NUMBER TO SAID PLURALITY OF PINIONS, EACH OF SAIDPLURALITY OF DRIVING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH A DIFFERENT ONEOF SAID PLURALITY OF PINIONS FOR ROTATING THE ASSOCIATED PINION;CONTROLLING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID PLURALITY OF DRIVING MEANSRESPONSIVE TO THE INSERTION OF RESPECTIVE COINS OF DIFFERENTDENOMINATIONS FOR CONTROLLING THE ENERGIZATION OF RESPECTIVE DIFFERENTONES OF SAID PLURALITY OF DRIVING MEANS TO ROTATE THE ASSOCIATED PINIONTO THEREBY ROTATE SAID TOTALIZING GEAR; SWITCH MEANS ADAPTED TO CONTROLTHE OPERATION OF AN ASSOCIATED VENDING MACHINE; AND OPERATING MEANSMOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID TOTALIZING GEAR AND POSITIONED TO OPERATE SAIDSWITCH MEANS WHEN SAID TOTALIZING GEAR HAS BEEN ROTATED THROUGH APREDETERMINED ANGLE FROM SAID FIRST POSITION WHEREBY SAID TOTALIZINGSYSTEM WILL CAUSE THE OPERATION OF THE ASSOCIATED VENDING MACHINE UPONTHE DEPOSIT OF A PRESELECTED AMOUNT OF MONEY.